Broncos name Jack Del Rio interim Head Coach

Ted BartlettNov 4, 2013 11:06 AM

As expected, the Broncos have named Jack Del Rio as interim Head Coach this morning, while John Fox recovers from his heart surgery. Del Rio was the head coach in Jacksonville for nine seasons, and compled a 68-71 record in the regular season, and 1-2 in the postseason. That's pretty solid work for an organization that was consistently under-resourced, especially at the QB position.

Del Rio is expected to continue in his duties as Defensive Coordinator, and I don't think he's ever done both jobs simultaneously before. As Andrew Mason said this morning, the high degree of experience on both the coaching staff, as well as at some key player positions, should assist Del Rio with the double duty.

While I probably would have made Eric Studesville the interim Head Coach, it's hard to find much fault with the choice of Del Rio. I generally think it's less disruptive on game day to have the running backs coach doing other stuff than he usually does than it is the defensive coordinator, and that Brian Callahan could fill in for Studesville with the backs, as he's done in the past.

We should probably assume that the Broncos will figure out the best way to work the mechanics of it all, as they've done an excellent job all year of adjusting to injuries and other obstacles. I don't think that Del Rio will represent any less conservative of an approach than Fox did, though; as old defensive guys, they're cut from very similar cloth.

1. I’m not in the arguing business, I’m in the saying what I think business.
2. I get my information from my eyes.

i heard it said that JDR will continue to call the defensive plays as well as assuming any head coaching duties during the game.

Posted by Troy Fairclough on 2013-11-05 02:45:55

without reading any comments..

IMO there will be little if any changes necessary in JDRs actually responsibilities.. it is not like he is starting the team from scratch in Jan.

He is taking over e well oiled machine for a few weeks most likely.. They have very experienced coaches in place already.. Other than making some game day decisions such as going for it on 4th and short, punt or FG or going for 2 after a TD.. as well as challenges beyond that he is a care taker for Fox.

Unless Fox is unable to come back this year this is all much ado about nothing..

He can fiil in for a few weeks standing on his head..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-11-05 02:45:08

I'd like to get to that, but I'm having a tough time freeing up lately. Let me see what I can do in the coming days/weeks.

Posted by Ted Bartlett on 2013-11-04 23:10:11

Thanks for your answer.

Posted by Goéland on 2013-11-04 18:00:06

Given Fox's heart situation, the 100 hour weeks that coaches work might be getting to be too much. If/when Fox leaves. JDR would be a quality coach for Denver to take on.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-11-04 17:27:30

Very little. Manning/Gase have the offense sewed up. Woodyard is a great on-field coach and he's expected back for SD.

One of the best things that Fox has done has been to establish a system, including the basics of what kinds of players he needed - fast, disruptive coverage LBs, larger DL, - and both man and zone coverage, which are then adapted to the specifics of each opponent.

The position coaches still get their reports in, Del Rio will probably have Smith and Gase in with him (Studs, too, and whoever he feels he could use more feedback from) and then a final game plan is drafted. the position coaches install it Wed-Fri (if there isn't a Thurs nite game, most of which have been boring).

I expect that Del Rio will call most of the game: Manning/Gase seems (from my fan perspective) to have their situation fully under control. I'll be interested to see who takes JDR's DC place - Richard Smith, the LB coach who's been a DC is my guess, but it's just a guess.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-11-04 17:25:16

The NFL has an anti-trust exemption through Congress, but no pretense of being non-profit.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-11-04 16:22:15

They had to negotiate a congract with Del Rio for being the Interim head coach while Fox is gone. I doubt it would include a clause for replacing Fox in the future - I doubt that's ever done.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-11-04 16:20:17

Could you please name those "Foxball foibles" you're talking about? It's easy to toss around statements like that, but please show us what exactly the hell you are talking about.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-11-04 16:17:45

Other than make a decision on fourth down or going for two points, just what else would he be responsible on game day.

It is not like we have inexperienced coordinators. Or assistant coaches.

I suspect it will pretty much be business as usual I also suspect that GM John will be more active in the day to day FO issues..

The only detriment on game day will be a bit less focus on D but then we also have our play caller back on the field also. WW can make an adjustment when he needs to during the heat of battle.

I suspect Wade fumbled the ball last night only because he had zero warning something like that happened. Not to mention that the deflating effect it had n the players.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-11-04 14:59:40

Hey Ted,

As we are at the midpoint of the season, I was hoping we could get an update on the Defensive Scheme Type Indicator for the various teams in the NFL. You had mentioned in the original article that there were a few teams in particular that you wanted to keep an eye on as you thought they may transition this year. I would love to read a follow-up article tracking the tendencies of the teams this years and your thoughts on which teams are playing to or against their strengths with their Defensive schemes.

Posted by Adrian Brody's O face on 2013-11-04 14:49:06

Scene: Broncos locker room before Fox-less games...

Manning: Coach, just get the ball from the other guys and give it to me.

JDR: You got it. Defense, go get the football from the other guys! Now, let's go out there and win!

I think he can handle it.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2013-11-04 14:41:12

Maybe he needs to put a swoosh on the tie and/or jacket and will get a pass. Agree, glad the NFL is focused on the big issues like contract agreements with sponsors - with the NFL being a non-profit and all :)

Posted by iowabronco on 2013-11-04 14:35:42

ESPN is saying Kubiak is being evaluated for stroke and blood clots. Yikes!!

My inexpert guess is a kidney stone or gall stone.

Posted by magster on 2013-11-04 14:35:12

I think it was because they were not made by Reebok. They HAVE to wear NFL gear.

Not sure it's the same under the Nike deal but would assume as much.

Posted by RyanHennigan on 2013-11-04 14:11:51

Doc, how much will change under Del Rio, in your opinion? I doubt he´ll modify in any way the team practices, for instance, but in what areas do you think he´ll be markedly different compared to Fox?

Posted by Goéland on 2013-11-04 14:00:40

Yes, as was Mike Nolan, I believe. Socks, suits and ties matter to the NFL.

Posted by Goéland on 2013-11-04 13:56:45

Wasn't he fined by the NFL for wearing suit and tie?

Posted by afeather on 2013-11-04 13:41:39

Magster, the best way to learn about what they do all week - a very good question that a lot of fans never ask - is to read some of the books by or about the coaches. Pick one head coach you like and read his bio - they talk at length about what their responsibilities are. It's very regimented - they start game film of the next contest on the plane home if they're away and at the facility and their homes if it's a home game (tech has big advantages and most teams have made training in the devices they use to the staff).

The HC works with his coordinators to develop a game plan for the following week. He's responsible for everything from making picking colors for the repaint job to developing how the team practices - which is a pretty complex process that's already in place for JDR.

The coordinators work with their position coaches and the HC, OC, QB coach and QB get together on the offensive game plan. The DC and his position coaches also put in their reports on Mondays and the game plan is finalized so that they can begin installing it -- the players get a day off before they start learning the new plan. The install takes a couple of days.

The position coaches and Gase, along with assistant coaches, will be a considerable help to Del Rio. As Ted notes - it's a situation where everyone will be pitching in to cover the areas that Fox would take care of. Del Rio's done it before and done it a lot - I doubt that he'll have a lot of trouble driving the Ferrari.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-11-04 13:35:15

Here is to hoping Del Rio starts wearing his sideline suit/tie again, just need to change out that tie for a nice orange one! That would add a nice sideline high roller look playing more aggressive on 4th down = gambling more with our talented team = big stack playing with house $$$. Please, say it'll happen!

Posted by iowabronco on 2013-11-04 13:28:24

While I wish this was the case, there is no way Del Rio will wait. Although Fox says Denver is his last gig, he is only 58. That said maybe with a couple of Superbowls he might pull a Bill Cowher and retire.

Posted by Rainmaker222 on 2013-11-04 13:27:20

I share your opinion. Del Rio already will see his workload increase exponentially with all the administrative stuff he´s now in charge of, and running the defense well is his other most important task. I really hope he concentrates on that side of the ball while just facilitating whatever it is that Gase and Peyton have in store for the offense. His in-game decisions while he was with the Jags could sometimes leave a lot to be desired, so the less crucial calls he has to make, the better. I hope he doesn´t fall prey to what Wade Phillips experienced yesterday night (Kubiak was clearly going for broke every time he could, just as Fox had been more aggressive this year), but the interim HC dynamic makes me uneasy on that front.

Posted by Goéland on 2013-11-04 13:11:05

The delay was probably just because it happened over the weekend.

Posted by dextermilo on 2013-11-04 13:06:52

People that say that are simpletons.. maybe not the same people.. but the same kind of people that believe Timmy Tebow's will to win is enough to overcome all his skill set challenges. People who say things like "Manning is the coach anyway"... out themselves of being clueless about the game.. much the same as the Tebow zealots would scrap family life savings for a billboard.

Posted by heykyleinsf on 2013-11-04 12:57:06

Game planning is the biggest task of a head coach. And wow do we have some big ones coming up. This is the biggest task for stepping up we've had all season. KC twice and New England at Foxboro... Shitty time to take over.. and it will be far from easy for JDR.. I have complete faith in him though.. I don't think it will be as easy as "not missing a beat".. I think they will miss a lot of beats, but the rhythm should kick in enough to get back some momentum.

Don't expect this to be nothing .. it really is something. But I think JDR, the staff, and the team know this, and will come through.

Posted by heykyleinsf on 2013-11-04 12:54:08

Anybody think the delay in the announcement might have involved negotiating JDR as the 'Successor-in-Place' for when Fox moves on?

I wondered if there might have been some negotiation to use this as an opportunity to secure his support beyond the end of the year, should USC come calling with big numbers.

Posted by Palmetto Bronc on 2013-11-04 12:53:58

On an unrelated note, I would like to say how nice it is not to see KC fans trolling over here.

Posted by Snipe on 2013-11-04 12:51:55

I am glad Jack of the River did not leave us when USC came calling.

Posted by Alaskan on 2013-11-04 12:31:20

I think they should turn complete control of the offense over to Gase and Manning and leave Del Rio to scheme defensively when the O has the ball. This includes challenges and 4th downs. Perhaps this would mitigate some of the foxball foibles we have seen this year. Sure the buck would stop with Del Rio overall but decentralization is the key to success here.

Posted by Rainmaker222 on 2013-11-04 11:45:16

I think the main things he will pick up are game day decisions, media responsibilities and administrative tasks such as turning in the inactive list. It's sort of a double whammy because they also lose Fox's contribution to the defensive game plan but I still see him as the best choice.

Posted by ohiobronco on 2013-11-04 11:37:50

I certainly think they won't miss a beat with JDR, or at least hope they won't. This team has a good group of not just coaches but players/captains to keep them stable. Though I have to laugh at the dumbasses on internet (I know, why bother) who're making "isn't Manning the coach anyway? " comments (" heh heh heh") Sigh.

Posted by underdog on 2013-11-04 11:30:20

What does a typical head coach do during week? What does a typical coach do on gameday? I suspect with the former, its being intimately involved in the film review on all phases while the coordinators report to you on the game plan while wielding veto power and weighted strategy suggestions. To the extent that Del Rio has to do this and do the defensive game-planning.... seems overwhelming. I would hope that Del Rio being "head coach" is confined to game day decisions like going for 2, 4th down calls, yelling at refs/players, and that during the week Del Rio says to Gase "the offense is yours, let me know if you want my two cents on anything."

Posted by magster on 2013-11-04 11:30:00

It's great to have a guy with so much experience ready to step in to fill Foxy's shoes. I also wouldn't have been surprised or upset to see Studesville step in as interim HC.